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The Dare Community Housing Task Force is right on schedule. At its Nov. 25, 2024 meeting, the task force members reviewed a draft of the “2024 Report. Housing for Now and Future Generations.”

Task Force Chair Donna Creef reviewed sections of the 32-page report. The report is centered around four cornerstones, which all have detailed analysis, conclusions and recommendations. The cornerstones explained as follows early in the report:

– Housing that is available, which means housing stock has existing and new construction; an inventory for year-round occupancy; an inventory that is perpetual, permanent status as long-term housing; acknowledge land for housing is constrained due to geography and large amount under public ownership that is unavailable for development. The report on this aspect of housing has eight recommendations.

– Housing that is attainable for first time buyers (look at funding gap programs); does not exceed 30% of gross household income across all income levels; and is impacted by increased housing values. This aspect of housing has four recommendations.

– Housing that is sustainable which is the ability to retain and maintain a home once purchased. The report states “increased insurance rates and costs of home maintenance affects sustainability.” The report continues “sustainable construction methods and mitigation programs to address natural hazards are essential.” Sustainable means perpetual funding sources are available for generational home ownership and rental housing stock. This section concludes with six recommendations.

– Housing that is acceptable with programs supported by communities; with scale and density relative to existing patterns of development; with aesthetics consistent with neighborhoods; and land use practices sustain the economy and community. The cornerstone sports six recommendations.

Dare Community Housing Task Force has 28 members drawn from various organizations along with five resident members.

On the Task Force are staff and elected representatives from Dare County and all six incorporated towns. Additionally, representatives are gathered from the Dare County Board of Education, Outer Banks Association of REALTORS^©, Outer Banks Homebuilders Association, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Outer Banks Hotel/Motel Association, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, Outer Banks Health and Outer Banks Restaurant Association.

The Task Force as a whole has met 10 times with the first meeting in January 2024. The last one for the year is scheduled December 16, 2024.

Three sub-committees are formed and met 12 times to address issues related to locations and sites; forming a non-profit organization and legislation research; and community engagement and outreach.

Over almost a year of meetings, the Task Force has had five presentations, including:

– UNC School of Government on how local governments are authorized by NC Constitution and statutes to participate in housing development.

– City of Asheville and Aspen, Colo. on their housing programs.

– North Carolina Housing Finance Agency – first time homebuyer programs and other state and federally funded programs.

Outer Banks Community Foundation – non-profit efforts elsewhere.

¾Another presentation came from a group from East Carolina University which is studying community attitudes toward workforce housing. Following an Aug. 20, 2024 presentation, the Task Force voted to participate and collaborate in the university’s study.

Target completion is spring 2025.

A presenter at the initial meeting told the Task Force the study is “looking for ways to talk about affordable housing … and for tangible, workable solutions.”

The study will explore public positions on making no change, high density residential housing, adding accessory dwelling units and using incentives.

The study timeline shows community research until December 2024. The study team will make site visits and focus group meetings from January through May 2025 and end the project in July 2025. The study will conduct eight public meetings in the form of floating open houses and focus groups.

The report comes with appendices, including a public property inventory with aerial photos which shows six publicly owned parcels on Roanoke Island, one in Manns Harbor, one in Kill Devil Hills and four on Hatteras Island.

Also included is a copy of the legislation for 2024 school and local government employee housing; 1991 occupancy tax legislation; excerpts from the Outer Banks Long-Range Tourism Management Plan; and South Bend, Indiana, Housing Toolkit.

At the completion of Creef’s presentation, she called on each person sitting at the tables for comments. Some changes to the draft report emerged.

The next meeting is set for Dec. 16, 2024 in the Dare County Administration Building.

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